SAGGIES maintained their lead at the top of the CM Energy UK Evening League with back-to-back wins against Budmouth and Moby Dick’s Bears.

A fine bowling display by Matt Camp (4-9) saw Saggies reduce Budmouth to 57-8, with Harry Mitchell (2-20) and Paul Gadsby (1-17) chipping in with wickets.

Luke Voss hit an unbeaten 23 to give Budmouth some hope, which was carried into the next innings as Ben Doidge was removed early for a duck.

It was Camp again who broke Budmouth’s hearts with 35, aided by Alex Browne (12no) as Saggies eased home by eight wickets.

Moby Dick’s Bears pushed Sag-gies right to the wire in a thrilling game at Redlands.

The Bears posted 111-7, with Mitchem (29), Ryall (24) and Arm-field (22) all getting good starts.

This time it was the fielders who came to the fore, collecting three run outs, with Camp again the pick of the bowlers taking 2-19.

Saggies’ innings was built around an 80-run opening partnership between Camp (53) and Ben Doidge (36), but their departures set up a close finish as a hard-fought game was won on the penultimate ball of the match.

The Bears got back to winning ways with a dominant 59-run win over Wessex Gasworks.

Laurie Whyte’s 61, along with Monty Bowden (34no) and Simon Mitchem (37) saw the Bears score 159-1 from 16 overs.

Gasworks recovered from the early dismissal of Gibson as Scott Orchard (60), along with Derek Millen (19) and Tony Ridout (10), led the fight back.

Orchard’s resistance was finally broken by Dave Pearce (2-23), before Rathnayake (2-3) and Bill Trevett (2-14) worked through the tail, as Gasworks finished on 100-7.

The Balti House stumbled in their pursuit of Saggies, going down to a shock defeat against the Royal Portland Arms.

The Arms had set a modest total of 103-7 from 16 overs, with Khylo Farley hitting some lusty blows on his way to 33, ably supported by veterans Pete Tombs (19) and Dave Price (12), as Balti skipper Marco Nott (3-16) helped stem the flow of runs.

In reply, it was evergreen Jody Locke who did the damage, causing no end of problems bowling down the Reforne slope. He claimed 5-21, including the prized wicket of Dave Adkins to a stunning one-handed catch by Pete Williams.

Ian Tibble (16) and Andy Thor-ne (11) rallied, but it came too late as the Balti were bowled out for 82.

The Arms followed this with victory over Budmouth to move up to third and book their place in Division One, following the league split.

Locke once again proved age was no barrier as he accounted for Phil Morley (15), and with Toby Mason (2-12), dismissed Budmouth’s top order.

Bullock (20no) and Lawson (14) combined to provide late runs, but Rich Samuel (3-17) helped restrict the hosts to 92-8.

The Arms’ reply stuttered at first, with the early loss of Tony Quayle to injury. Khylo Farley (19) and Tombs (10) laid the early foundations, with Darrell Farley (12) chipping in.

A steady loss of wickets saw Mason (26no) rejoined by a lame Quayle (10no) to see the Arms to the win off the final ball.

The Balti House cemented their second place with a fine run chase against PRT George Inn.

Batting first, the George looked to have taken the game away from the Balti as Matt (55) and Gary Randell (20) added 80 off the opening eight overs.

The tide turned with the introduction of Adkins (2-33) who removed the Randell family, but could not dislodge Simon Proffitt whose 35 not out helped set an imposing 140-5.

Adkins continued his fine form with the bat, hitting 62 not out, and along with Gareth Vincent (29) saw Balti reach their target with two overs to spare.

Wessex Gasworks finally notch-ed their first win of the campaign against fellow basement club Victoria Inn.

Oakley (39no) and Sam (21no) forged the key partnership for the Victoria after Lloyd (2-12) had taken early wickets, but came up against a determined fielding unit as they were restricted to 76-2 from 16 overs.

Millen (31) and Orchard (37no) set Gasworks on their way, and despite the late loss of Millen, they eased to the points with six overs to spare.

LEAGUE STAGE ONE

Budmouth 57-8 (L Voss 23no, M Camp 4-9, H Mitchell 2-20) lost to Saggies 58-2 (M Camp 35) by 8 wickets,

Royal Portland Arms 103-7 (K Farley 33, M Nott 3-16) beat Balti House 82 (D Adkins 16, J Locke 5-21, D Price 2-14, P Williams 2-20) by 21 runs,

PRT George Inn 80-3 (M Randell 40no) beat Victoria Inn 79-8 (H Oakley 22, T Dalkins 3-8, O Whisker 2-8, R Townley 2-16) by 1 run,

Moby Dick’s Bears 159-1 (L Whyte 61, S Mitchem 37no, M Bowden 34no) beat Wessex Gasworks 100-7 (S Orchard 60, S Rathnayake 2-3, W Trevett 2-14, D Pearce 2-23) by 59 runs,

Budmouth 92-8 (R Bullock 20no, R Samuel 3-17, T Mason 2-12, J Locke 2-19) lost to Royal Portland Arms 93-9 (T Mason 26no, P Morley 3-12, R Lawson 2-30) by 1 wicket,

Moby Dick’s Bears 111-7 (S Mitchem 29, J Ryall 24, J Armfield 22, M Camp 2-19, S Browne 2-36) lost to Saggies 112-5 (M Camp 53, B Doidge 36, W Trevett 2-15) by 6 wickets,

Victoria Inn 76-2 (H Oakley 39no, Sam 21no, A Lloyd 2-12) lost to Wessex Gasworks 77-2 (S Orchard 37no, D Millen 31) by 8 wickets,

PRT George Inn 140-5 (M Randell 55, S Proffitt 35no, G Randell 20, D Adkins 2-33) lost to Balti House 144-2 (D Adkins 62no, G Vincent 29) by 8 wickets.